UA College of Continuing Studies Associate Director Receives Scholarship Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Geri Stone, associate director of professional development and conference services in The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, recently received the 2009 Wayne Whelan Scholarship from the Association for Continuing Higher Education Inc.

The Wayne Whelan Scholarship is given annually to an ACHE member engaged in graduate studies on a full-time or part-time basis. Stone’s doctoral research focuses on the value of leadership development programs offered through continuing education units for administrators at four-year institutions of higher learning.

ACHE held its 71st annual conference in Philadelphia in November where four educators, including Stone, received scholarships and grants to further their research efforts in continuing higher education.

“I am pleased to announce the awarding of these grants and scholarships to a very deserving group,” said Rick Osborn, 2009 ACHE president. “These awards enable very important growth in the research surrounding our field.”

ACHE scholarships and grants are given to encourage research for adult continuing higher education.

In 2009, ACHE awarded the Wayne Whelan Scholarship, the Ache Research Grant and the ACHE Foundation Grant.

Members of Stone’s dissertation committee include: Dr. Claire Major, dissertation chair, associate professor, and Dr. Nathaniel Bray, assistant professor, both of the College of Education; Dr. Tom Harris, professor (retired), College of Communication and Information Sciences; Dr. Mark Nelson, UA assistant provost for academic affairs; Dr. Kathleen Cramer, UA senior associate vice president for student affairs; Dr. Beverly Dyer, director, Gadsden Center, College of Continuing Studies.

ACHE is dedicated to promoting lifelong learning and excellence in continuing higher education. It encourages professional development, research and exchange of information for its members and continuing higher education to enhance and improve society.